State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process.
Allen Community College is working in cooperation with the Department of Education and numerous state agencies to comply with the requirements of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
Changes to the Higher Education Act of 1965 made it necessary for each institution of higher learning to address the following: “If an institution is offering post secondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering post secondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)”
Allen Community College has approval to offer distance education in other states through the Midwestern State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (M-SARA).
Complaint Resolution
Allen Community College works to ensure each student is appropriately supported and has positive experiences while at our institution. Students are encouraged to use the following published processes to resolve issues.
Issues are best resolved at the lowest level. Please attempt to resolve disagreements with the faculty by meeting with them to discuss the issue before beginning a formal appeal.
Student Complaint Procedure
Complaints regarding State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) courses delivered by SARA member community colleges may be filed by students enrolled in those courses with the Kansas Board of Regents. More information can be found at http://kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/Academic_Affairs/3257-ComplaintForm_SARAinstitutions.pdf